It was the evening of Cole's Best Man's rehearsal dinner when Emma first laid eyes on Cole and knew that she had to have him. That evening and the evening of the wedding, the two did not speak, although both were curious about one another. A few months had passed before they came into contact again, but each had remembered each other and felt like there was something special about the first time they saw each other.


The first date... the first date was to Napoli's restaurant in Pittsburg, KS, where the couple instantly felt comfortable and connected with each other. After dinner , the two went on a star-gazing journey in the truck bed as Emma listened to Cole ramble about his knowledge of the skies. As the night moved on, both felt as if this could be something. After that night, the two were hardly seperable.


As the weeks passed and the experiences together accumulated, Emma and Cole eventually started dating officially. Together they started to create goals in their relationship that would eventually lead to where they are now. Both were introduced to each others' families after a few weeks and were welcomed with love and open arms, making the decision to be together that much easier. There was a slight issue though... Emma had been planning to move to Hawaii and that was not about to change. Cole and Emma had a very tough decision to make regarding if it would be worth doing the distance for an extended period of time.


The year of 2022 was quite a full year for the couple. Between running a half-marathon together, to climbing a 14'er (a mountain higher than 14,000 ft. elevation), to Emma taking her extended trip to Hawaii, and Cole working his business full-time, the two had created a long list of new experiences together as well as accomplished individual goals. The two decided that they were going to make the distance work during Emma's stay on the beautiful island of Maui, and they did just that, and both were able to handle it well. What Emma had not known is that Cole had asked Emma's parents for her hand in marriage shortly before she had left. Surprise! Permission was granted! Cole was so ready to be united with the person he loved most for the rest of his life, all that was left was to pop the question.


Late 2022, Emma had arrived back on the mainland just in time for the late season holidays of Christmas and the New Year, as well as a snowboarding trip in late January of 2023 for Cole's birthday. Cole had finally made up his mind on when and where he would propose, and thought nothing could have been more fitting. As they rode up the ski lift on Cole's birthday, the first day of their trip, Cole clutched the ring tightly in his pocket, making sure not to drop the merchandise. On the summit of the mountain, with family surrounding, Cole dropped to a knee and slightly mentally blacked out, as he awaited the word he had been thinking about for months. Yes.


Whoop Whooooop! They were engaged! The cherry on top was that Emma's parents were able to drive to Colorado for the very special day, and the two were surrounded with family for the evening. The two are looking forward to their future together and are currently in the process of building a home in Linn Valley, KS. Here's to many years of happiness and healthiness!